First Day of Kindergarten!
As summer winds down, we all turn our attention to back-to-school supplies — whether it’s a nervous kindergartner, a returning older child, or an incoming freshman, it’s an exciting (and sometimes anxious) time of year. Below are some of The Clever Crew’s picks for the younger kids in our lives, so they can walk in that first day full of confidence. Pepper, of course, will continue homeschooling. 🐾
Heads up: Our Clever Finds uses affiliate links from Amazon. We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. We only share finds we genuinely love.
If your little one is prepping for kindergarten or first grade specifically, don’t miss our earlier post, 7 Best Educational Toys to Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten or First Grade This Summer — a great companion to this list for building confidence before the first bell rings.
Ready for the First Day
These three cover the basics every kid needs walking out the door — something to carry, something to drink from, and something to help them focus.
Kids Wired Headphones
♥ What We Love
- Fully adjustable with a cushioned headband and ear cups, plus a tangle-free cord.
- Cheerful colors that check the box on just about every school supply list.
Dakine GROM Backpack, 13L
♥ What We Love
- The perfect size for younger kids, with a spot inside the front pocket to write their name.
- Two bottle holders, colorful, and comfortable — our grandson loved carrying his iPad and gear in it on our cross-country summer trip.
Gatorade Kids Metal Water Bottle, 12oz
♥ What We Love
- We loved it so much over the summer we bought a second one just for school.
- Durable metal build that keeps drinks cool, a carry handle, easy open-and-close for water fountain refills, vibrant colors, a spot to write their name on the bottom, and truly leak-proof.
Lunchtime Made Easy
For the picky eaters (we’ve all got one) and for keeping everything cool until the lunch bell rings.
Kids Bento-Style 5 Compartment Leak-Proof Lunch Box
♥ What We Love
- Five compartments holding 2.4 cups each, so picky eaters can have a little of everything without it all touching.
- Secure leak-proof lid, an easy-to-handle latch, and lots of bright color choices — easy to stash in the backpack too.
Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Ice Packs
♥ What We Love
- Inexpensive, practical, and adorable — the fun characters are sure to put a smile on your child’s face at lunchtime.
- Slim enough to fit in any lunch box without taking up room the food needs.
A Home Base for Homework
We’ve had this for a couple of years now and loved it so much we’re buying one for the grandkids to have at home too. Our local grandson loves “working” at his desk in our home office while we’re busy working from home.
Adjustable Kids Desk & Chair
♥ What We Love
- Plenty of surface area that lays flat or tilts for art projects, with a built-in book or music stand and an adjustable LED light.
- A sizable pull-out storage drawer, a cup holder, and height adjustability — so parents don’t have to worry about the child outgrowing it too soon.
Never Lose It Again
No one wants to sift through the dozens of items in the Lost & Found for gym clothes, jackets, and lunch boxes — something we can all relate to. I wish we’d thought of this when my sons repeatedly lost jackets and gym clothes during their middle school years.
Custom Name Stamp for Kids Clothing
♥ What We Love
- Waterproof and personalized, made for clothes and supplies alike.
- Clever and practical — a simple stamp on the tag can save a jacket from disappearing forever.
Bonus: Safe Rides To and From School
This one’s a repeat favorite from our post 10 Must Have Travel Essentials for Young Kids This Summer — but it earns its spot here too. It’s incredibly useful for those days when a grandparent, neighbor, or friend needs to pick up or drop off your child, or for carpooling.
Mifold Comfort Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat — Compact
♥ What We Love
- NHTSA approved and worked perfectly for us traveling with our 5-year-old grandson.
- Fits right into a backpack and sets up easily in Ubers, airport rides, or any relative’s car around town — honestly one of my best purchases this year.
Pepper supervised the entire back-to-school haul from her favorite chair.
Pepper says: “Homeschool starts at 7am and consists entirely of naps. I’m already at the top of my class.” 🐾
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